Fire engines from Macclesfield (x2), Congleton, Bollington, Poynton, Wilmslow, Birchwood, Winsford, Knutsford and Holmes Chapel
Rapid response rescue units from Middlewich, Bollington and Poynton
The incident command unit from Northwich
The all terrain vehicle from Macclesfield
The drone unit
Aerial firefighting provided by United Utilities helicopter
Relief crews overnight included firefighters from Penketh, Crewe, Alsager, Ellesmere Port, Congleton and Chester. As well as original fire engines returning to station and changing over crews before some coming back to the incident.
On Thursday, 23 July, attendance includes relief crews from:
Fire engines from Winsford, Macclesfield, Knutsford, Crewe, Middlewich and Poynton
One of our four weekday fire engines
The Rapid Response Rescue Unit from Middlewich
On Friday, 24 July, attendance includes relief crews from:
Fire engines from Holmes Chapel, Crewe, Audlem, Chester, Northwich, Macclesfield and Stockton Heath
The Rapid Response Rescue Unit from Middlewich
Details
Firefighters are currently dealing with a large woodland and grass fire in Macclesfield Forest.
Crews are at the scene tackling the blaze, with additional resources on their way to assist.
Members of the public are urged to avoid the area while emergency services work to bring the fire under control. Smoke may be visible from surrounding areas and people nearby are advised to keep windows and doors closed if affected.
Please do not travel to the area and avoid blocking access routes needed by emergency vehicles.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
UPDATE 19:15 | Our Incident Command Unit is now in place, with partner organisations, including Cheshire Police and United Utilities, working alongside Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to coordinate the response.
United Utilities is providing aerial firefighting support, dropping water onto the affected area from above, while firefighters on the ground continue to tackle the blaze with their wildfire equipment.
The incident has been sectorised, with crews working across a number of areas to try to stop the fire from spreading.
We are urging members of the public not to travel to Macclesfield Forest. We are receiving reports of people continuing to arrive in the area and, while we understand that the forest is a popular destination for walkers and visitors, it is crucial that people stay away while emergency services deal with this incident.
The fire remains ongoing and conditions can change rapidly. There is a lot of smoke in the area and there is also the potential danger of people coming too close to active firefighting operations and the flames.
Stay safe, stay away. Thank you for your cooperation and support while we deal with this incident.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
UPDATE 22:20 | Firefighters will remain in attendance at Macclesfield Forest overnight, with relief crews being brought in to continue tackling the fire.
A fire investigation has been carried out and the most probable cause has been identified as a discarded disposable barbecue found in the area.
This incident is a reminder of the devastating impact that careless behaviour can have on our countryside, particularly during periods of warm, dry weather.
We will bring you further updates tomorrow morning.
UPDATE 22/07, 07:00 | Firefighters have been monitoring the fire overnight to ensure it did not spread beyond the perimeter of the affected area.
Due to the terrain, conditions and limited visibility, firefighting operations cannot safely continue in the same way overnight. The incident was reduced to four fire engines, with relief crews arriving through the early hours to maintain a watch on the fire and respond to any flare-ups.
Wildfire specialist firefighters are due to return shortly in daylight to reassess conditions and continue firefighting operations as required.
We are asking members of the public to please stay away from Macclesfield Forest today while crews remain at the scene.
Update at 11:00 | Firefighters are still monitoring this fire. Forest volunteers have closed off local tracks to the public and a United Utilities helicopter is in attendance.
Update at 16:00 | Firefighting operations are still continuing. A helicopter run by United Utilities is being utilised to drop water on the fire from above and beaters are being used to reduce the fire.
Firefighters are expected to remain on scene overnight.
Update at 10:00 on Thursday, 23 July | Crews remained at the scene overnight. Throughout the evening, hotspots identified using the all terrain vehicle and thermal imaging cameras were dampened down using beaters. Due to reduced visibility, operations were scaled back overnight, and the area continued to be monitored.
The area is being reassessed, and crews will continue working to extinguish the fire.
Update at 11:30 | Firefighters continue to work around the site using the all-terrain vehicle and drone. Water backpacks and beaters are being used to extinguish the fire, and a helicopter operated by United Utilities is in attendance and assisting with firefighting operations.
Update at 16:20 | Firefighting operations have continued throughout the day using the all-terrain vehicle, drone and thermal imaging cameras to identify hotspots. The helicopter has made good progress in tackling the fire, and remaining hotspots are being extinguished using water backpacks. Firefighters are still on scene.
Update at 09:30 on Friday, 24 July | Crews remained on scene throughout the night, checking for hotspots using thermal imaging cameras. These areas were then dampened down using hose reel jets, water backpacks, beaters and lances.
The incident remains sectorised as relief crews attend this morning to continue dampening down hotspots that are identified.
Update at 12:45 | Firefighting operations continue, with water backpacks being used to extinguish hotspots. The drone is being used to monitor the area, and the all-terrain vehicle is assisting with water shuttling.
Update at 16:00 | Firefighters are continuing to dampen down identified hotspots.
As firefighters are expected to remain on scene throughout the weekend, we will only provide further updates if there are any significant developments.
Please avoid the Macclesfield Forest area while this incident remains ongoing.
Update from Steve McCormick, Head of Prevention and Protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service:
"With the warm weather and current dry conditions, the risk of wildfire is extremely high. We are urging people to leave disposable barbecues at home and pack a picnic instead. Dry grass and vegetation can ignite very easily, and fires can spread rapidly in these conditions. If you smoke, please ensure cigarettes and other smoking materials are fully extinguished. Also take glass bottles and rubbish home with you. By taking these simple precautions, everyone can help protect our countryside from preventable fires."
